Lateral motion device for railway vehicle axles



June 21, 1938,

a. H. zoucK LATERAL MOTION DEVICE, FOR RAILWAY VEHICLE AXLES Filed Feb.9; 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lll a. H. zoucK June 21, 1938.

LATERAL MOTION DEVICE FOR RAILWAY VEHICLE AXLES Filed Feb. 9, 1935 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR b 5 I 7'7 1 ATTORNEYS (5. H. ZOUCK 7 June 21,1938.

LATERAL' MOTION DEVICE FOR RAILWAY VEHICLE AXLES.

Filed Feb. 9, 1935 a Shts-Sheet 5 ll| l I lllllllllll @aiented June 2E,13

was

LA'raaAr, Morrow navrca non RAILWAY vnnroan extras George H. Zouck,Orange, N. 3.,

Franklin Railway Supply Company,

. a gnonto New 13 Claims.

This invention-relates to equipment for providing a railway vehicle aidewith lateral motion and it is particularly concerned with a device ofthis kind in which such giotiomexcept for a small degree of whatis'ie'fmed' "free lateral movement, is yieldingly resisted anddefinitely controlled. The invention .isespecially useful in controllingthe lateral motion of axles on railway vehicles which have long rigidwheel bases such, for example, as are found in modern large size, highpower locomotives, although it is not to be limited to such use becauseit is equally applicable to any railway vehicle.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide greatly improvedriding qualities for the vehicle and to reduce to a minimum the wearupon wheel flanges, rails, etc., as well as to distribute whatever weardoes occur more uniformly throughout the parts adjacent to or associatedwith each of the several axles of the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means wherebyanti-friction bearings are employed in a novel way to secure the desiredlateral motion of the axle.

The invention is in the nature of an elaboration oi the broad ideasdisclosed and claimed in my copending application No. 696,693, filedNovember 4, 1933, to which application-reference may be had for a fullerdiscussion of the principles involved in lateral-motion devices.

The foregoing, together with such other objects as may appearhereinafter or are incident .to my invention are obtained by means ofconstructions which are illustrated in preferred forms in theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a composite, vertical sectiontransversely of a locomotive, theleit-hand side of the figure beingtaken in-the plane of a driving axle approximately on the line I-i ofFigure 3 and the right-hand side of the figure being a section takenapproximately as indicated by the line |llll in Figure 3.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section similar to that which is shown in theleft-hand portion of Figure 1 but with the parts in their extremeposition of lateral motion.

Figure 3 is a composite cross-sectional view taken transversely of theaxle, the left-hand portion of the view being taken approximately on theline 3-3 of Figure l and the right-hand portion approximately on theline to -Sa or Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan section taken approximately on the line4-4 of Figure 3 with the driving box appearing 'in plan view.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section on a reduced the box. From this highpoint, the flanges'taper:

scale similar to that of the left-hand portion of Figure 1, illustratingcertain features of the invention as applied in connection with anantifriction bearing of the tapered roller type.

Figure 6 is a vertical central'section taken lon- 5 gitudinally of anaxle having an outside bearing boxsuch ,as the axle of a trailer truckor a car truck and illustrating certain modifications oi the inventionsuitable for this type of box, and

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 6. a

Inspection of Figures 1 to 5' of the drawings will show that I haveillustrated avlocomotive driving axle B with its driving wheels 1. Neareach end, the axle 6 is provided with an annu' lar shoulder 8, betweenwhich shoulders and the adjacent wheels are mounted the bearing structures to be described below. Each end of the axle passes through an axlebox 9 (in this instance -a driving box) which receives the load or thevehicle through a saddle structure iii arranged to straddle the framemembers it in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art.

The box 9 is of inverted U-construction, the sides of which are,provided with the flanges i2 which are adapted to embrace the pedestalJaws l3. The open lower end of the box is closed by means ofthe cellarmember it which is held in place by means of the wedges Iii which reactbetween o'pposedshoulders it and I1, the first of 30 which are locatedonthe. cellar member it and the second of which on the sides it of thebox 9 (see particularly Figure 3). The cellar member is provided withlug members it which are adapted to embrace the side'members 88. U-shaped wear plates 20 are interposed between the pedestal jaws l3 andthe box and its flanges, as shown probably to best advantage in Figure4. The customary pedestalbinder 2i is secured in position across thepedestal jaws 58, as shown in Figure 3.

In connection with my invention, it is necessary that the axle box bemounted in the pedestal 'jaws so as to' have freedom for vertical andtransverse rocking movements in the frame, although at the same time thebox must be restrained as against bodily movement transverse of theframe. 'L'Io this end, I prefer to form the flanges i2 of the box insuch a way as to provide high points 22 approximately at their midpoints, as shown probably to best advantage in Figure 1 at theright-hand side, which high points fitf'the adjacent liner 20 withsufilcient closeness to substantially prevent bodily transverse movementof annular series of straightrollers 26.

ring oi rollers 26 is illustrated in the present embodiment althoughit-will be understood that a or curve upwardly and dov'vnwerdly awayfrom the liner, approtely as indicated at it. This,

of course, will permit the box to rock as the axle rocks under theinfluence of the motion of the vehicle. The box flanges, therefore, are,as it were, curved or tapered from the mid point upwardly and downwardlyaway from the pedestal Y plurality of spaced ringsof rollers mightequally well be employed.

The outer race 25 is seated in a suitable recess in the box t and in thecellar it, while the. inner race it is fixed to the axle 8 in such a wayas to move therewith during lateral motion. At the'cutside' of eachroller bearing is a suitable ring-or washer 2'8, and at the inside aspecially constructed thrust'member 28, the function of which willappear more fully hereinbelow. The

parts just described are held in their proper positions by means of thespaced collars or sleeves 29' and it, against the periphery oi which arearranged suitable oil retaining rings ti.

The arrangement of manner bearing is such as to cause the rollerstt tomove laterally with the inner race 26 upon lateral motion of the axle t.Ihe rollersv 26, therefore, slide laterally with respect to their outerraces, which has particular advantages in securing the necessary lateralmotion, for the reason that the friction between the parts is reduced toa minimum by an arrangement of this kind, it being relatively easy tomove the axis with respect to the box where such motion can talse placebetween one of the races on the one hand and the rollers on the otherhand.

In order to take care of the thrust incident to the lateral motion, aswell as to provide means for yieldingly resisting and controlling thelateral motion, the member it is flared outwardly into an annular recessor pock'e't 82, as shown in the left-handportion oi Figure 1. Opposed tothe outwardly flared portion of this member 2% are a series ofspringeheld plungers 38. mounted in housings as, having screw-threadedcaps 35, the springs 36 being arrged to react between the caps 3t andthe annular shoulders 37 on the plungers 3d. The inner ends 3d of theplungers project through suitable openings in the side wall oi. theannular chamber 52, and between these ends 38 and the outwardly flaredportionof the member 28 is located a suitable anti-triction thrustbearing 39 of a self contained type which, in this instance, isillustrated as an ordinary ball bearing, although any other suitabletypeof thrust bearing can, of course, be employed.

' ing. This clearance permits a certain amount of free motion of theaxle which is referred to by those smiled in the art as "tree lateral".The

controlled lateral motion comes into'p'lay after the "free lateral" hasbeen taken up. The relative degrees or "free lateral and "controlledlateral" can, of course, be arranged as desired to suit individualconditions. The extent of the controlled lateral" may be determinedeither,

The operation of the device, of course, is obvi-- vous from thedescription, but it might be said that by the arrangement illustrated Iam enabled to impose whatever degree of resistance to lateral motion maybe suitable or desirable for any given axle. Furthermorethe number ofspring'hous in'gs as maybe varied to suit individual conditions and theymay be spaced'circumferentially' in any manner which is most convenient'or expeditious. 3

In the present instance I have shown six of these housings it three ofwhich are on the main portion 9 of the axle box and the other three onthe a cellar portion it. The thrust bearing 39 of course is laterallymovable with the axle 6 the inner race id of the roller bearing and therollers 26. The box and the outer race 25 remain substantiallystationaryin the pedestal jaws 43 as already described. z

In the modification illustrated in Figure 5. I

have illustrated the use of a diiierent type of roller bearing i. e., abearing in which are employed oppositely disposed rings of taperedrollers M. In an arrangement of this kind, the outer race iii, as wellas the inner race 62, is adapted to move with the ans 5. The outer raceti, however, is provided with a backing member 63 having I flanges ddwhich fit down around the sides oi th outer race, wearplates dd beinginterposed between the flanges M and the sides of the outer race ti. Thebearing, as a whole, moves with the axle t, and the backing member isslides against the wear piece dd in the upper portion of the box 9. Thespring-held plungers 33 operate in the same manner as the plungers inthe other figures,

except that their inner ends 38 abut against the backing member 63. Inan arrangement of this ltlnd, an independent thrust bearing between theplungers and the roller bearing is not necessary,

for the reason thatthe type of roller bearing illustrated takes bothradial and thrust loads. The

box flanges, however, are tapered in the same vided, as seems mostdesirable.

The modification illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is particularly adaptedfor use in connection with axles where the bearing or axle boxes arelocated to the outside of the wheels instead of to the inside as is thecase with the driving axles already described and shown in Figures 1 to5 inclusive. The principles involved, however, are essentially the same,although the structure is necessarily changed. Here the hub of the wheelis shown at 41 and the axle Journal at 48, the latter being mounted inthe axle box 48 which is provided with the flanges 50 for embracing thepedestal in which the axle is mounted. As in the case of the otherfigures, each flange 50 is provided with a central high point whichcontacts with the adjacent face of the pedestal, the flange taperingaway from this high point above and two annular series of straightrollers 5i, the inner arrangements the means for providing conrace 53 ofwhich is fixed to the journal 48 and moves therewith while the outerrace 54 (of eccentric construction) is fixed in the box 59, the

arrangement being such that the inner race .53

will slide across the rollers 52 during lateral movements of the axle.

Controlled lateral motion is provided for by the large diameter thrustpin 55 arranged in opposing relation to the end of the axle, the inner'end 56 of the pin 55 being spherical as shown and adapted to seat in acorrespondingly shaped recess 51 in the end of the axle. In the neutralposition shown in Figure fi'there is a slight clearance X shown betweenthe two faces 56 and 51 which, of 'course,is for the purpose ofpermitting a certain degree of free lateral before the controlledlateral comes into play.

The outer end 58 is reduced and is the ball bearing 59 which in turn ismounted in the cupped retaining plate-60. This bearing is arranged totake both thrust and radial loads as shown and the cup-shaped plate Bilis adapted to reciprocate in the chamber 6i formed by the cap member 62in cooperation with a recess 63 in the end wall 54 of the box. A spring65 is interposed between the outer face of the cup-shaped plate 60 andthe base of the recess in the cap 62. The cap 62'is provided withflanges 56 by means of which it is bolted to the wall 64 as shown. Thecentral portion of the cap is inwardly extended to form an abutment 81against which the plate 60 is adapted to take in order to limit thelateral motion of the axle. The load, of course, is transmitted to thebox by any suitable structure which rests thereupon'in the pocket 68. r

The operation of this modification is essentially the same as that ofthe structure illustrated in Figures 1. to 5 and it will be seen that inboth trolled lateral" serves to cushion the movements of the axlewhenever forces are brought into play which demand such lateral motion.more, the springs are designed to return the axles to normal or neutralposition when such forces are no longer active.

I claim: L'A lateral motion device for a railway vehicle axle includingin combination with the frame of the vehicle, an axle box having flangesfor embracing the frame so as to permit the box to have verticalmovement but adapted to restrain the box as against transverse orlateral movement with respect to the frame, said flanges, however,

being of contour such as to permit rocking movement-of the box upon alongitudinal horizontal axis, an anti-friction bearing having aninnerrace which moves laterally with the axle within the box and an outerrace which is fixed in the box, an annular, self-contained laterallymovable anti-friction bearing surrounding the axle and adapted toreceive the thrust of said movable race, and means for yieldinglyresisting the fitted mm Furthermovement of said laterally-movable thrustbearing.

2. 'A lateral motion device for a railway vehicle axle including incombination with the frame of the vehicle, an axle box mounted in theframe so as to havefreedom for vertical and transverse rocking movementsin the frame but restrained as against bodily movement transverse of theframe, a roller bearing mounted in the box so that relative lateralmovement between the rollers and one of their races may take place in adirection transverse of the frame, lateral movement of the axle causingsuch relative movement, an annular, self-contained laterally movableanti-friction thrust bearing surrounding the axle and adapted to receivethe lateral thrust of the movable element of the roller bear- 'ing, andmeans carried by the box for yieldingly sliding relationship to theouter race of the bearing, an annular. self-contained laterally movableanti-friction thrust bearing surround-. ing the axle and adapted toreceive'the thrust of the rollers, and means carried bythe box foryieldingly resisting the lateral movement of said thrust receivingbearing. v

4. A lateral motion device for a railway vehicle axle including incombination with pedestal members of the vehicle frame, an axle boxhaving flange members for embracing said pedestal members in opposedrelationship so as to permit the box to have vertical movement butadapted to restrain the box as'against transverse or lateral movementwith respect to the frame, certain of said opposed members being ofcontour such as to permit vertical rocking movements of the axle, ananti-friction bearing having an inner racewhich moves laterally with theaxle within the box and an outer race which is fixed in the box, anannular, self-contained laterally movable anti-friction thrust bearingsurrounding the axle and adapted to receive the thrust of said movablerace, and means for yieldingly resisting the movement of said laterallymovablebearing.

5. A lateral motion device for a railway ve-' hicle axle including incombination with pedestal members of the vehicle frame, an axle boxhaving flange members for embracing said pedestal members in opposedrelationship so as to permit the box to have vertical movement butadapted to restrain the box as against transverse or lateral movementwith respect to the frame, certain of said opposed members being ofcontour such as to permit vertical rocking move-' ments of the axle,anti-friction bearing means for the axle mounted to move within the boxwith the axle during movement of the axle laterally of the frame, anannular, self-contained laterally movable anti-friction thrust bearing srounding the .axle and adapted to receive the lateral thrust of saidmovable axle bearing means, and means for yieldin'gly resisting themovement of said thrust bearing.

6. A lateral motion device for a railway vehicle axle including incombination with the "for embracing the frame so as to permit the box tohave vertical movement but adapted to restrain the boxias againsttransverse or lateral movement with respect to 'the' frame, saidflanges, however, being of contour such as to permit rocking movement ofthe box upon a longitudinal horizontal axis, an anti-friction bearinghaving an inner race which moves, laterally with the axle within the boxand an outer race which is fixed in the box, an annular, self-containedlaterally movable anti-friction thrust bearing adapted to receive thethrust of said axle, and means for yieldingly resisting the movement ofsaid laterally movable bearing.

7. A lateral motion device for a railway vehicle axle including incombination with pedestal members of the vehicle frame, an axle boxhaving flange membersfor embracing said pedestal members in opposedrelationship so as to permit the box to have vertical movement butadapted to restrain the box as against transverse or lateral movementwith respect to the frame, certain of said opposed members being ofcontour such as 'to permit vertical rocking movements of the axle, ananti-friction hearing having an inner and an outer race and an annularseries of straight rollers therebetween, the inner race and the rollersbeing mounted so as to move laterally with the axle within the outerrace, an annular, laterally movable thrust bearing surrounding the axle,means for transmitting the thrust of said inner race and the rollers tosaid thrust bearing, and means around the axle and carried by the boxfor yieldingly resisting the'movernent of said thrust bearing.

8. A lateral motion device for a railway vehicle axle including incombination with pedestal members of the vehicle frame, an axleboxhdvments of the axle, ananti-friction bearing have ing an inner andan outer race and an annular series of straight rollers therebetween,the inner race andthe rollers being mounted so as to move laterally withthe axle within, the outer race, a self-contained laterally movable"annular anti-friction bearing for receiving the thrust of said movableinner race, means for transmitting the thrust to said annular thrustbearing, and means carried by the box for yieldingly resisting themovement of said laterally movable thrust bearing.

9. A lateral motion device for a locomotive driving axle comprising incombination with the locomotive frame, a driving box inside the wheel ofthe axle having flanges for embracing the "frame so as to permit the boxto have vertical bearing being laterally movable, means fortransnntting'the thrust ofgsaid movable inner race to saidself-contained bearing, and a series of 1 spring held plungers carriedby the box and surrounding the axle and adapted to yieldingly re- I sistmovement of said self-contained bearing.

10. A lateral motion device for a railway vehicle axle including incombination with the frame of the vehicle, an axle box having flangesfor embracing the frame so as to permit the box to have verticalmovement but adapted to restrain the box as against transverse orlateral movement with respect to the frame, said flanges, however, beingof contour such as to permit rocking movement of the box upon alongitudinal horizontal axis, an anti-friction bearing having an-innerrace which moves laterally with the axle within the box and an outerrace which is fixed in the box, an annular self-contained anti-frictionthrust bearing carried by the box opposite the end of the axle, saidself-contained bearing being laterally movable a thrust transmittingmember fitting into said self-contained bearing, and means foryieldingly resisting lateral movementof said self-contained bearing.

11. A lateral motion device for a railway vehicle axle including incombination with pedestal members of the vehicle frame, an axle boxhaving flange members for embracing said pedestal members in opposedrelationship so as to permit the box to have vertical movement .butadapted to restrain the box as against transverse or lateral movementwith respect to the frame, certain of saidopposed members being ofcontour such asto permit vertical rocking movements of the axle, ananti-friction axle bearing in said box having an annular series ofstraight rollers, the axle being mounted in said bearing to movelaterally within the box, an annular, laterally movable thrust bearingsurrounding the axle, means for transmitting the thrust of the axle tosaid thrust bearing, and means carried by the box for yieldinglyresisting the movement of said thrust bearing.

12. A lateral motion device for a locomotive driving axle. comprising incombination with the pedestal members of the locomotive frame, a drivingbox inside the wheel of the axle having flange members for embracingsaid pedestal members in opposed relationship so as to permit the box tohave vertical movement but adapted to restrain the box as againsttransverse or lateral movement with respect to the frame, certain ofsaid opposed members being of contour such as to' straight rollersmounted so as to move laterally 1 with the axle within the box, anannular thrust bearing surrounding the axle to the inside of said seriesof straight rollers, said annular thrust bearing being laterallymovable, means for trans.- mitting the thrust of said series of straightrollers to said annular thrust bearing, and yielding means carried bythe box aroundthe axle and adapted to resist movement of said annularthrust bearing.

13. A lateral motion device for a locomotivedriving axle comprising incombination with the pedestal members of the locomotive frame, a drivingbox inside the wheel of the axle having flange members for embracingsaid pedestal members in opposed relationship so as to permit the box tohave vertical movement but adapted to restrain the box as againsttransverse or lateral movement with respect to the frame, certain ofsaid opposed members being of contour such ,as to permit verticalrocking movesaid annular thrust bearing being laterally mov- 'ments ofthe axle, an anti-friction bearing having an inner and an outer race anda series of straight rollers therebetween, said inner race beingmounted,v to move, laterally with the axle within the box, an annularthrust bearing, surrounding the axle to the inside of said inner race,

